Walsall V Swindon Preview

A fixture which will forever bring back memories of that final game last season as we celebrated the Championship thanks to Dean Keates strike whilst our Wiltshire hosts celebrated there own promotion......happy days. However things have not been so smooth for our visitors since the financial difficulties that have followed them for years once again caught up with them as they were on the brink of administration. However thankfully they have found new investors and a takeover has been completed and a new manager waits in the wings to take over as Paul Sturrock looks set to be replaced by Maurice Malpas who if not on the bench will at least be in the stands on saturday as they look to extend the five match unbeaten run which has seen them move into 12th place.

Vital Talk

It is January, so most of the talk has been dominated by transfers, Swindon are awaiting for the final details of the take over to be completed bu have already shown intent of there new chairmans plan of Championship football in three years by placing a bid for once on loan Reading striker Simon Cox, who hit 9 goals for the Robbins whilst on loan.

The Saddlers have lost Sweeney to Leeds and Fox has handed in a transfer request and may well follow Peter to Leeds, Paul Hall has gone on season long loan to Wrexham whilst last weeks signing Martin Brittain has been joined by one time Swindon loanee Lee Holmes from Derby.

Walsall Team News:

Lee Holmes goes straight into the squad whilst ex Derby team mate Paul Boeitein has completed 90 mins in reserves and may well be added to the squad. However sickness has delayed Michael Dobbsons return, Micheall Ricketts and Ishmel Demontagnac face late tests on knocks recieved against Yeovil and Millwall. Tommy Mooney looks unlikely to face his old club due to the hamstring injury picked up on boxing day.Otherwise it is more than likely same as, with Clayton Ince, Weston, Dann,Gerrard, and Fox at the back. Bradley and Wrack in centre midfield, wide men picked from Sonko, Brittain, Demontagnac and Holmes, upfront Deeney, Nicholls and Ricketts compete for the two spots, although Deeney has also impressed on the right hand side.

Player to watch: Daniel Fox

Looks likely to leave but who can really blame him, if some one offered you the chance to earn 500 pounds a week more for doing the same job I am sure you would be tempted. Whether the move is into the championship or Leeds, Dan Fox showed a comitment to the saddlers on tuesday night, som lets back the guy on saturday.Anyway 500k in our pocket and Paul Boertein and Lee Holmes on the left as areplacement with Taundry and Ishmel in reserve isn't a bad deal for the club.

Swindon Town Team News:

Swindon town are on the back of a good run but have seen striker Simon Cox return to reading and Barry Corr suspended. On the flip side Jamie Vincent, Christian Roberts and Lee Peacock all return from injury. Also Jack Smith and Steve Adams have returned to training following hamstring injuries.

Player to watch: Peter Brezovan

Vital Swindon have reported the interest in the keeper, as Swindon Town confirmed that goalkeeper Peter Brezovan is getting interest from Championship and Premiership clubs.

Leeds United have already showed interest this season, suprise suprise!! But Swindon Town are keen to hold on to the tall Slovakian goalkeeper, in a simlar manner as we try to fend off bids for Dan Fox

Brezovan had a trial at Premier League side Everton earlier this year and are believed to be one of the teams looking to make a bid for Brezovan. So it could only be a matter of time before he moves but in the mean time he could provide a formidable barrier to the young Walsall side on Saturday.

Match Facts & Stats

Walsall, unbeaten in 17, Swindon unbeaten in 5 three of which were draws. The truth is we have to lose sometime and guess what Swindon were the team which spoilt our winning run last season....will lightening strike twice?Swindons last six league resultsLatest Results Swindon 1 - 1 Swansea Bournemouth 2 - 2 Swindon Yeovil 0 - 1 Swindon Swindon 2 - 1 Hartlepool Swindon 0 - 3 Brighton Southend 2 - 1 Swindon The other draw was in the cup against Barnet

Ref Watch:

N D Swarbrick

Match Prediction:

Should win, draw seems likely but a defeat is on the cards 0-1

Next Fixtures:

FA Cup away to Millwall for the right to visit Coventry, tuesday night 7.45pmWe go to Bristol Rovers next saturday 3pm

Best of Vital Network

Comments

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Difficult game for us, your in flying form, hopefully our team will react to the excellent news of our take over completion and also be playing for their places in front of the prospective new manager of the team.
After the last game of the season last year, have a bit of a soft spot for Walsall. (not that soft to accept the points this Saturday though)....Good luck after this Saturday.